Management tips from UKSA GM Helena Field

We are not a team because we work together. We are a team because we respect, trust and care for each other.

Whilst our teams work together daily and likely spend more time with one another than they do their families, it is often hard for bonds to form as the typical hectic day to day workload takes precedent. The pressure and stress of the busy daily routine actually put strain on relationships and often there isn’t time to chat and get to know one other. Subsequently team bonds can be weakened, small cliques can form and the overall team connection is lost.

As Spa Manager it is your responsibility to help with team bonding. You are in a position to facilitate team building opportunities and social strategies. Ideally different initiatives away from the day to day work environment where your staff can get to know each other and build trust and rapport.

There has been lots of research carried out proving that team building can help employees feel valued and increase their motivation, which subsequently results in a stronger work ethic. It helps team members to become more aligned and increases communication. Studies by Harvard Business School and the American Psychological Society, for example, have proved that that a connected team is a motivated team.

Another vital way of uniting your team is through communication. In my opinion it is the most important aspect in the smooth running of any business. By getting the team to learn more about each other through your team building initiatives I would expect the team to have more respect for one another, better trust and understanding and ultimately better communication. Encourage your team to communicate by coordinating team meetings, briefings, mail shots, newsletters, memos, noticeboards and one to ones.

Communication can be instrumental in improving rapport and team spirit. To see colleagues support one another, treat each other with respect and cooperate with one another is vital. If a team is pulling together they can achieve more. If the team are driving the business forward as a solid unit, the consequences will be evident in the revenue and quality results.

We are in a privileged position working in Spa and Wellness that we understand how to help people with all sorts of conditions, stress reduction, relaxation techniques, emotional support and wellness. It is therefore vital that we ourselves also look after our own health and wellbeing. Support your staff by providing opportunities for health and wellbeing activities. These could be incorporated into your team building. Not only will this help with their own mind and body wellbeing but can also be educational and therefore be useful to your customers.

During my Spa career I have been involved in many team building initiatives including a day creating graffiti art, bowling, treasure hunts, making face masks, group meditation, designing aromatherapy oils, make-up lessons, personality testing and sushi making, to name a few. Use your imagination as a Manager and continually inspire your team by providing opportunities to unite them.

‘We are only as strong as we are United, as weak as we are Divided’. JK Rowling from her book Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire